Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 22:8-18 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

8. Whoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleep.

9. Whoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: "Who is this?"

10. Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed.

11. Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest.

12. But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

13. The mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their life.

14. You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless.

15. Keep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sin.

16. Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness.

17. What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish?

18. Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious.

Read complete chapter Sirach 22